Not Recommended for Funding
The collaboration was led by: Abigail Lowder
There is active discussion about the formation of an Indigenous Studies department in the upcoming semester. However, the timing of this precludes any seniors from declaring and ultimately receiving a minor in Indigenous Studies by the time they graduate in the spring. My “What if” proposal seeks to allow seniors to minor in this department as soon as the department is formed. This specifically pertains to seniors who may have already completed several classes that would have been included under this department had it been formed earlier, and such a minor would be pursuant to faculty and advisor discretion.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- A proposal that aligns with the history of the college and an important area of study that we need to formalize for students to pursue.
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- College governance is in the process of making this program available to students, creating a path to have American Indian and Indigenous Studies as an interdisciplinary program and associated minor for students to choose in their educational pursuits at the College; this program may be available for the Class of 2026
- We encourage students in cohorts of 2026 and beyond to be on the lookout for the AIIS program offerings in the near future.
The collaboration led by: Michael Revenaugh
With other collaborators: Ben Salzman
So that Hamilton can encourage the adoption of EVs in the community. Hamilton’s green initiatives are admirable, but the recent addition of ChargePoint stations with a markup on the price of electricity offloads costs onto community members who have invested in EVs for their own green goals. This initiative encourages the adoption of electric vehicles, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to innovation and green practices. Additionally, it supports staff by reducing commuting costs, fostering a positive and forward-thinking work environment.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Wanting to make EV charging stations accessible to all on campus.
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- A budget that accurately reflects the cost of this proposal to the College, including:
- The lost revenue that covers the electricity costs to Hamilton;
- employee time; and
- the possible need for more charging stations due to increased demand by Hamilton and non-Hamilton community members who would use the stations
- Connecting with others on campus to better understand the EV charging stations and their costs to the College. Starting points include discussions with Facilities Management and the Environmental Protection, Safety, and Sustainability Office.
The collaboration was led by: Mike Debraggio
This is hardly transformational, but it might be nice for morale if the College allowed employees to work a four-day work week in the summer (still the same number of hours, but they'd be squeezed into four days instead of five). Employees could opt to do it or not, their choice, since some may not want to work longer days in the summer. And best of all, it wouldn't cost anything. Some departments might have to coordinate scheduling to make sure there was appropriate coverage for all five days during the week.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Submitting an idea that takes into consideration employee morale and emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, which aligns with the College’s wellness initiatives.
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Connecting with relevant departments and offices, particularly Human Resources, to gather a full understanding of the feasibility of this proposal, and if so, how this would impact operations and departments.
- Exploring if there are any budgetary implications with implementation.
- How this could impact programming (e.g. OP Summer Program), summer camps, and summer researchers.
The collaboration was led by: Aaron Strong
With other collaborators: Brian Hansen, Sara Soika
The 236-acre Reservoir Forest is a beautiful College-owned forest tract including three ponds as well as a network of fire roads and trails. In 2022, the Land and Forest Stewardship Committee under the Hamilton College Sustainability Working Group worked to open the tract to the public through the creation of a trailhead on College Hill Rd. and development of signage which included lists of allowed activities. However, several unfortunate incidents involving non-Hamilton-affiliated persons led to the decision to re-close the Reservoir Forest to the public. It’s time to re-open this amenity to the Hamilton and Clinton communities!
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Recognizing the value of the Reservoir Forest as a potential community resource and environmental asset
- Demonstrating initiative to reopen outdoor spaces that could benefit both the Hamilton and Clinton communities
- Highlighting the existing infrastructure (trails, fire roads) that could be utilized with minimal initial investment
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- A comprehensive safety and security plan that addresses the specific incidents that led to the 2022 closure
- A detailed budget that accounts for ongoing maintenance, security patrols, and potential infrastructure improvements beyond just signage
- Partnership development with Campus Safety and Facilities Management to ensure proper oversight and resource allocation
- Engagement with neighboring property owners who may have concerns based on previous experiences
- A long-term sustainability plan for maintaining the forest's ecological integrity while allowing public access
- Consideration of water reservoir protection measures, as this serves as a source for campus drinking water
- This initiative might be better pursued through the Land and Forest Stewardship Committee or Sustainability Working Group with appropriate partnerships with Campus Safety and Facilities Management
The collaboration was led by: Ilana Frid-Madden
I think it would improve the ambiance and lighting in the area. It could also attract more students, which would in turn give Fojo more business. It’s a fairly cost effective, easy way to brighten up the space!
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Thinking creatively about revitalizing campus spaces
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Given the relatively small financial investment, this request could be considered by other offices for funding (Administrative Services, Community Living, Dean of Students)
The collaboration was led by: Lisa Trivedi
With other collaborators: Brianna Burke; Marissa Ambio; Mackenzie Cooley; Kira Jumet; Rebecca Gruskin; Abhishek Amar; Nhora Serrano; Alex Wohnsen
We seek to create a community prepared to implement new pedagogical approaches in courses that provide the next generation of Hamilton students with analytic skills and practical training associated with decolonial methodologies and built upon the practice of dialogue across difference. A year-long seminar built around the expertise of interdisciplinary and area studies faculty, but to which any member of the faculty or staff is welcome, will create a community bound by a shared corpus of knowledge for this work. The seminar will enhance and deepen our ability to listen with humility and tolerate discussion without closure.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- The potential to be transformative in the liberal arts
- Focusing on decolonization and looking beyond traditional disciplines and approaches
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Developing a plan to institute this and in what way to organize labor/courses
- Coordinating with CAP
- Collaborating with others who have already developed decolonizing pedagogy and/or other programming
- Consideration of integrating into a more cohesive SSIH project
The collaboration was led by: Nhora Serrano
With other collaborators: Laura Widman; Alex Wohnsen; Mike Revenaugh; Meg Bernier Keniston; J.D. Ross
We propose expanding Hamilton’s virtual tour–already a widely-used resource for prospective students and families to engage with Hamilton’s campus–to include audio guides in three more languages in addition to English. Seeing campus online is to travel through Hamilton’s history, technological advancements, and community-wide creativity. Making this experience accessible in multiple languages invites new perspectives and empowers our community to engage with our campus history and spaces in all of their languages. This change to virtual tours acknowledges that the stories we tell about Hamilton are multi-faceted and multicultural.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Developing a concept of accessibility through multilingual virtual tours
- Collaboration among a broad range of departments
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Develop specifics on how language selection will reflect Hamilton’s diverse linguistic communities
- Direct collaboration and involvement from multilingual students and members of the community
The collaboration was led by: Dana Hubbard
This project aims to integrate Salesforce’s Einstein Co-Pilot into Advancement's customer relationship management system (CRM). The system we use, called ascend, is a Salesforce CRM platform that helps us track and organize important information about our alumni and donors. Currently, many tasks in ascend are manual and time-intensive, consuming valuable staff resources. By using Einstein, we can make these processes more efficient, freeing up our team to focus on what matters most - building meaningful relationships with alumni donors and raising the funds that support Hamilton’s mission.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Considering new ways to improve efficiency and better utilize staff resources
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Working through existing funding sources to procure the module
The collaboration was led by: Christina Strong
A publicly open recreation center at Hamilton College would provide essential health, wellness, social and recreational amenities for both the campus and local community, while also addressing the growing need for "third places"—informal spaces that foster social interaction and creativity outside of home or work. Third places are places that people want to gather to spend time together in community. Featuring a leisure pool, water slides, hot tub, lazy river, sauna, exercise studios and meeting rooms, it would promote physical activity, social connections, and collaboration in a welcoming environment for both the campus community and the local public.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Ambitious vision
- Desire to create community connections
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Conversations and buy-in from other stakeholders and collaborators, including town and campus partners
- Collect data to determine if our current facilities do not meet demonstrated needs
- Determine if there are ways to leverage existing facilities and resources to meet the intended goals
The collaboration led by: Margie Thickstun
With other collaborators: Jennifer Ambrose, Charles Collett, Celeste Day Moore, Wei Zhan, Benjamin Widiss, Stephanie Bahr, Dave Bailey, Alan Cafruny, Courtney Gibbons, Naomi Guttman, Betsy Jensen, Alexandra List, Quincy Newell, Steve Orvis, Katherine Terrell
In our vision for a rejuvenated writing program, writing becomes the heart of the open curriculum, a creative, human-centered activity that binds together each individual student’s intellectual journey, even as it creates a collective experience of a Hamilton education. Realizing this commitment would require dedicated stewardship to help students and faculty create a program that anticipates evolving disciplinary priorities and student needs in a changing world. Hamilton would thus reclaim a vanguard position in mobilizing writing as a mode of inquiry, a creative art, a political act, and as essential means to practice the liberal arts in the twenty-first century.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Developing a proposal that builds upon a core existing strength of Hamilton’s liberal arts curriculum, the writing program, and which includes a clear articulation of the importance of writing to the collective experience of Hamilton students
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Developing a more concrete vision about what a “revitalized” writing program would entail. This would include identifying concrete problems or limitations with the existing program (e.g., what is the problem with the current program being “diffuse”?) and putting forth a more fully fleshed-out vision of how the writing program should be transformed (e.g., there could be tracts within the program for focuses on public writing, writing with technology, etc.)
- Thinking more thoroughly about how the writing program should grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI and other technological changes
- Participating in current conversations around the curriculum and a teaching center, and thinking through a revitalized writing program in conjunction with those
- Incorporating costs beyond salary into the budget
- Potentially pursuing the hire of the proposed Writing Program Administrator through the regular budget allocation process
- Take this conversation to the curricular discussions currently underway under the Dean of Faculty
- The committee recommends this idea be further developed during aspirational design in the master communicator design charrette
The collaboration led by: Emily Harrison
With other collaborators: Anna Huff; Rob Knight; and Shannon Enders
Social Justice as Practice: Storytelling, Performance, and Sustainable Design
We propose to establish a community-engaged curricular framework that would connect Hamilton faculty and students with organizations in the nearby City of Utica in meaningful, long-term partnerships. New or re-envisioned social justice-centered courses from across the humanities would incorporate aspects of storytelling, performance, and/or sustainable design as central aspects of their coursework.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Thinking about opportunities for communities and organizations in Utica
- Considering opportunities to connect students to the surrounding area
- Incorporating a “lab” component to a course
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Thinking about whether the course plan and summer work are connected (and how it is funded)
- Consider how this model would be sustainable
- Follow-up conversation with the Levitt Center as a possible Justice Lab topic where additional support may be possible
The collaboration was led by: Katie Cowen
With other collaborators: Barb Fluty, Jeff Landry, Sarah Solomon
The Mental Models working group has been exploring ways to engage the community in transformational dialogue around how we understand and address mental health and wellbeing. As part of that process, we are planning an experience we are calling a “Data Walk”. What if we used that experience as a laboratory for exploring how we can do the same thing with other challenging or complicated topics we face as a community?
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Taking initiative to address mental health and wellbeing on campus through an innovative approach and building upon previous work with the Mental Models working group
- Attempting to create a framework that could potentially be applied to multiple challenging issues
- Bringing together collaborators from different campus areas to work on this important topic and rethinking how the college can support mental health in potentially transformative ways
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- A clearer articulation of what a "Data Walk" entails and how it would be implemented
- A detailed explanation of how this approach could be applied to other challenging topics
- A more transparent budget breakdown that clarifies how funds would be allocated
- Greater context about the Mental Models working group and its previous work
- A more developed implementation plan with timelines and assessment metrics
- Articulation of specific, measurable outcomes that would demonstrate success
- A pilot implementation plan that could be assessed before expanding to other challenge areas
The collaboration was led by: Kritika Ghimire
This proposal envisions introducing more South Asian language offerings, such as Nepali, Tamil, or Urdu, to promote cross-cultural learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. These courses would serve as gateways to study abroad programs in South Asia, a region often overlooked in our global education initiatives. By fostering understanding and connection with this diverse and vibrant part of the world, the initiative will also give voice to the underrepresented South Asian community at Hamilton, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and enhancing inclusion on campus.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Creative approach to filling a gap in the curriculum
- Potential for cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Outlines benefits beyond mastering language
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Collaboration with the language departments and Multilingual Support
- Consult existing pathways for proposing courses and curriculum
The collaboration was led by: Anna Huff
With other collaborators: Pavitra Sundar
This transformational proposal will help Hamilton develop a more equitable support system for students from all backgrounds who need to make use of loanable equipment to create artistic, technological, creative, and computational work. This FTE would primarily focus on the dedicated job of managing, purchasing, consolidating, caring for, updating and tracking loanable and other creative technological equipment on Hamilton’s campus so that students and faculty can have clarity and ease of access to what is available to them in terms of loans and resources across disciplines.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- A thoughtful and detailed proposal
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Consulting and collaborating with the team for the Innovation Center - this issue is being considered and will be addressed as that project moves ahead
The collaboration was led by: Karen Brewer
With other collaborators: Shawna O’Neil, Brian Hansen
This proposal seeks to catalyze the introduction and placement of art and music where students learn and study. Although unexpected, the presence of a piano in the Science atrium would acknowledge that we support our students as creative learners across disciplines. Most of the students in science are musical and many of them play the piano. It would be a delight for students, faculty, and staff to hear anyone in the community play a piece or two at lunch time, in between classes, or as an evening study break.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Creativity and passion for cohesive liberal arts experience
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Collect data on the use and upkeep of existing pianos on campus
- Develop a budget that takes into consideration the upkeep of the pianos (regular watering, tuning, etc.)
- Survey users of the space to determine if this would be a welcome addition
The collaboration led by: Evelyn Skoy
Hamilton would offer low-interest home improvement loans to faculty and staff who own college housing. This would help faculty and staff, especially more junior faculty and staff with less savings, upkeep the very old housing stock of Hamilton and maintain the community on the hill for future generations. While this idea would tie up Hamilton funds for the duration of the loans, the real value of the loans would be repaid (and Hamilton could even set rates above the expected inflation rate for a small return), and less off-cycle renovations would be needed.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Creative idea supporting homeowners on College property
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Include collaborators in other departments who may be interested in this idea - Business Office, Human Resources, Auxiliary Services
The collaboration led by: Russell Marcus
With other collaborators: Michael Feinberg; Naomi Guttman; Viva Horowitz; Shoshana Keller; Benj Widiss; Meredith Wilf
College is an important time for students to figure out what religion and tradition mean to them, independent of their families. Jewish students at Hamilton are currently bereft of experienced leadership and models of inclusive, egalitarian, and diverse contemporary Judaism. A Jewish professional on campus to provide programming and mentorship to all members of our community is especially vital in this tense campus and political climate.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Creative and thoughtful idea for a community that needs support
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Partnering with the Dean of Students Office and the future Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life
The collaboration was led by: James Mitchell
Campus offices like the DMC amongst others could do more events for marginalized students during heritage months like Native American Heritage month being in November for example. There is a lack of events on campus that bolster the celebration of these identities especially at a private PWI like Hamilton College.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Creative and thoughtful idea to support marginalized students
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Collaboration with offices that are already leading much of this work to ensure alignment and avoid duplication; While these heritage months are celebrated and funded through the DMC, a broader cross-campus effort is needed to amplify these voices and foster true institutional collaboration
- A key gap at Hamilton is the lack of structured coordination across departments, and addressing this could create a more unified and impactful approach to cultural celebrations and support
The collaboration was led by: Aaron Strong
With other collaborators: Susan Jarosi; Jason Townsend; Stephen Ellingson; Brian Hansen; Sara Soika; Anna Huff
Hamilton College currently has a quarter-acre community garden that has been underutilized for several years. Previous efforts to farm this plot have struggled with a lack of coordination and support from the college. It is time to invest in turning the garden into a well-integrated educational community farm. There is strong and ever-growing student interest in sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and food studies, and the community garden should become a hub of experiential learning, integrated into Hamilton’s sustainability initiatives. We suggest the creation of a Community Farm Manager position to expand this space into a center for wellness, learning, and sustainability.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Identifying a space on campus that is being underutilized
- The efforts put in to see how it could integrate into many existing courses, as well as contribute to a future Food Studies program
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Better understanding the full history of how the previous farm was or wasn’t used by the Hamilton community, and how this proposal could encourage more use
- A more detailed budget that incorporates the full cost of FTEs and student employees (including benefits), as well as the full costs to grade and resolve issues with the current sloped space
- Partnering with other area farms to experiment with programming
- Visiting colleges/universities that have successful farms and gardens to learn more about what has led to their successes
The collaboration was led by: Katie Cowen
With other collaborators: Sean Bennett; Barbara Fluty; Brian Hansen; Andrew Jillings; Meg Kenniston; Stephanie Kowell; Jeffrey Landry; Sara Soika; Stephen Stemkoski
We have an opportunity to uncover what we value as individuals and as a community and how we live out and aspire to those values. Establishing a shared set of values can create a common sense of purpose, generate greater investment and collaborative impact, and help prioritize how we invest our time and resources. A college that has integrity with its values is, in fact, creating systemic conditions for campus community well-being. As important as the values developed is the process by which they are created. We propose a process that is intentionally participatory and inclusive of our campus community.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Recognizing the need to engage in discussions about institutional values
- Their desire to bridge the gap between student experience and workload placed upon students
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Opportunity for values identification to be part of the upcoming aspirational design processes
- Collaboration with the aspirational design process to explore if there is mutual interest
The collaboration was led by: Forrest Schmitt
In order to provide the best orientation process possible, and to increase diversity among orientation leaders. Leaders are often those who can afford to do the program, and spend valuable weeks of the summer working for free. If there was greater diversity among racial and socioeconomic lines, participants could relate more to their leaders.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Recognizing the challenge of having a representative group of orientation leaders
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Collaborate with Orientation trip coordinating administrators
- Consider developing a proposal to offset the cost of student leader travel and potentially summer storage as a way to provide some benefit to the leaders.
- Consider a broader conversation about Orientation and equity
The collaboration was led by: Allen Harrison
What if the college supplemented/expanded its current student success coaching efforts offered (piloted) through the Accessibility Resources Office by introducing coach training for faculty, staff and administrators?
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Identifying this as an approach that is promoted in some areas of campus, such as academic advising
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Collaborating with DOF and ALEX advisors to determine any gaps that exist in our current advising system
- Connecting with the organizers of the Center for Teaching and Learning proposal to determine if a collaboration is possible
The collaboration was led by: Sharon Rivera
More than half of the world’s population lives in countries characterized by severely restricted levels of academic freedom. Governments in such countries as Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, and Ethiopia routinely monitor and restrict scholars’ work, often using prosecution, arrests, and disappearances to chill academic freedom. Hamilton can support free academic inquiry and share its substantial resources in a meaningful, uniquely personalized way by hosting one or two imperiled global scholars who stand in dire need of protection from closed, authoritarian governments and war.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Alignment with Hamilton’s commitment to the liberal arts, global engagement, and fostering diversity of thought
- Emphasis on cross-campus engagement (panels, intellectual forums, and classroom integration) enhances interdisciplinary collaboration and exposes students to global perspectives
- The plan to apply for matching funds of up to $25,000 from the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund demonstrates a proactive approach to securing external funding and reducing Hamilton’s financial burden
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Financial Sustainability: The proposal outlines initial funding sources (potential IIE matching funds and in-kind housing), but it does not specify how Hamilton would sustain the program beyond the two-year fellowship
- While SAR will help identify candidates, the proposal does not detail how Hamilton will prioritize among eligible scholars or what disciplines will be given preference
- More clearly define the role of the faculty mentor
- Consider salary and benefits
The collaboration was led by: Marissa Ambio
With other collaborators: Thomas Wilson
Students can develop research projects alongside experts and present the results of their intellectual labors at public forums where they can reach a much wider audience than is normally the case with humanistic research while gaining insight into professional pathways that foster public exchange around areas of social, cultural, historical, and/or civic significance. The Curatorial Studies student internships and fellowships are aligned with the College’s recent commitment to experiential learning and the Initiative’s emphasis on “Public Humanities,” a relatively new field that fosters engagement beyond the academy.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Considering how to build internship opportunities for students at cultural institutions
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Explore other collaborators on campus, including individuals from the Wellin, the Library, Art History, and the Career Center
- Consider what a pilot model of an internship program could look like
The collaboration led by: Brendan Waivada
With other collaborators: Justin Biraben; Devon DeVries; Ryan Sordillo
My idea is to create a new club, a student-run investment fund called Continental Capital, similar to those at fellow liberal arts colleges Middlebury, Tufts, and Wesleyan, among many others. Continental Capital would provide students with hands-on experience managing real capital, bridging academic theory with practical application. Open to all majors, it complements the liberal arts curriculum by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. Students would analyze markets, evaluate investments, and present strategies, honing research and communication skills. This initiative aligns with Hamilton’s emphasis on experiential learning, preparing students for leadership roles and competitive internships or careers.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Bridging the gap between classroom and real world
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Collaboration with DOS, DOF, Advancement, and the Investment Office
- More detailed information regarding how the budget will be spent
- Investment Club already exists and does most of these things short of working with real money - which has been proposed before
- Explore the sustainability of a program of this nature through an endowment
The collaboration was led by: Thomas Wilson
With other collaborators: Marissa Ambio
A Humanities Center with Curatorial Labs (HCCL) builds upon the Curatorial Studies Initiative, funded by a National Endowment for the Humanities grant. The proposed Center would host faculty seminars, small conferences, and provide an active workspace for design collaborations that curate and interpret cultural artifacts, archival documents, rare books, etc., to develop a humanistic understanding of the world. The center would also provide a much-needed centralized space for the various Humanities departments scattered across both sides of campus.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Thinking about how to build on the current NEH grant focused on curatorial studies
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Considering others on campus who could work as collaborators
- Developing more detailed plans about how a Humanities Center could drive further collaboration in support of the humanities
- Exploring developing a budget that addresses both personnel/programming as well as physical facility development/building
- Considering how a Humanities Center could be sustainable longer term
The collaboration was led by: Annabelle Lee-Davis
We identify affinity groups based on interest (Queer Folx, POC, International Professionals, New Professionals, Women in HED, etc.) for faculty and staff. These groups would meet once a month at lunchtime or near the end of the day to build community, enjoy some light refreshments, and talk about their shared experiences. Having some meetings in public spaces (like the Pub) would also make us more visible to students.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Thinking about how we can support faculty and staff on campus
- Developing a proposal with a great deal of potential
If the proposers were to further develop this idea, the committee recommends the following considerations:
- Considering how this proposal fits with the new employee orientation currently in development at Hamilton College
- Developing connections with collaborators on campus, including Staff Assembly and Human Resources, who may help create these connections across campus
- A more detailed program of how the affinity groups would function and the structure for how it would be supported
The collaboration was led by: Anna Huff
With collaborators: Nhora Serrano; Ryan Carter; Robert Knight; Amy Brener; Bret Olsen
This pitch is in dialogue with the catalyst pitch for an Art Technology and Society Colloquium, and would function as a necessary bridge to begin to fill in areas in the curriculum that are currently missing while cultivating a relationship with the local community. The goal is to offer students direct experiential collaboration opportunities, and map out important connections within the current liberal arts frameworks.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Developing an idea that has potential to cultivate connections with the community and provide students experiential collaboration opportunities
- Identifying examples of similar project at other institutions that might serve as a model
The points that the committee recommends the proposers need to continue to develop include:
- Elaborate on how the fellow or postdoc would be mentored and supported, particularly given the short time-frame for the positions
- Further develop the budget to include necessary overhead, rent, and support costs. It was unclear if the proposed budget was for a 10- or 12-month position
- Elaborate on the rationale for a public-facing studio space specifically, and how it connects to desired impacts
- Elaborate on how the proposed practitioner fellowship or postdoc position will drive collaboration or experiential learning for students
- Collaborate with DOF to explore existing possibilities for this position
The collaboration was led by: Brian Hansen
With collaborators: Sara Soika; Aaron Strong; Margie Thickstun; Tina Hall; John Powell; Chris Harrison; Tracy Adler; Rebecca Murtaugh
Hamilton's sustainability initiatives thus far have been a successful demonstration of collaboration across many stakeholder groups, while staying committed to its primary academic mission. This pitch includes 1--establishing a seasonally accessible outdoor classroom in our forested areas near the Kirkland Glen bridle path, and 2--establishing a process to develop and display expressions of art (2D or 3D) along a designated corridor near this classroom. The ultimate goal is to expand Hamilton's sustainability stakeholders to underrepresented community members, while (again) expanding opportunities to capitalize on its primary academic mission.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- A creative vision that keeps sustainability and accessibility top of mind
- Examining and identifying available resources that could also be put towards this project
The points that the committee recommends the proposers need to continue to develop include:
- Providing more details about how this would work and function
- Exploring how technology would need to be integrated into the plan
- Identifying how non-standard academic departments could use the space
- For the Art Walk component, explore collaboration with the proposal, “What if there were a post-baccalaureate fellowship to establish a student-run public-facing arts co-op to produce bold, issue-based, interdisciplinary projects for campus and community revitalization?”
- For the outdoor classroom component, explore collaboration with the proposal, “The College built a multi-purpose indoor/outdoor structure that creates efficiency for current programs and potential to expand programming that brings our community together"
- Recommend that the group resubmit to Senior Staff a proposal to consider funding for developing a temporary public art project in the glen or other outdoor area
The collaboration was led by: Omobonike Odegbami
With collaborators: Sean Bennett; Monk Rowe; Ariel Adams
By establishing Cultural Soundscapes & Music Exploration Corners across campus, we can foster a more inclusive, globally-minded community where students, faculty, and staff can engage with diverse cultural expressions through music. This initiative will provide spaces where international students can share their musical heritage, while encouraging others to learn, appreciate, and connect with different cultural backgrounds. Music, as a universal language, offers a powerful tool to inspire meaningful cross-cultural interactions and strengthen the bonds within our campus community.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- A creative idea that celebrates our international students and gives them an opportunity to share an additional dimension of their heritage with the rest of the campus community
The points that the committee recommends the proposers need to continue to develop include:
- A budget that illustrates a more full picture of costs, such as visiting artists, instrument repair, and streaming services
- Connect with the Co-Chairs of the What If Committee for names of possible collaborators across campus
- Collaborate with faculty in the Music Department
- Recommend the group submit a revised proposal for a pilot single location or a short window of time, to test the idea and understand the components that are necessary to scale this project successfully
The collaboration was led by: KinHo Chan
With collaborators: Sean Bennett; Travis Hill; Jasmine Yang; Aaron Ray; Melissa Marietta
Since becoming need-blind in 2010, Hamilton has become more accessible and inclusive, increasing socioeconomic diversity, welcoming more first-generation students, and strengthening representation of historically marginalized communities. While these changes have enriched the College, concerns remain that resources, structures, and strategies to equitably support this growing diversity have not kept pace. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensuring all members of the Hamilton community thrive. Equity and inclusion are not just ideals but fundamental to the College’s mission. We must reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment where all members feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Developing a three-tiered framework for identifying equity gaps which provides a clear and actionable roadmap for implementing change
- Prioritizing a data-informed approach, incorporating institutional data analysis, focus groups, and open forums to ensure that the audit is comprehensive and reflective of lived student experiences
- Engaging young alumni as part of the assessment is a collaborative thinking strategy that provides insight into how institutional experiences impact students beyond graduation
The points that the committee recommends the proposers need to continue to develop include:
- Move this idea into the aspirational design process through the DEI Division of the College
The collaboration was led by: Christian Goodwillie
With collaborators: Tracy Adler; Lucy Burke; Nathan Goodale; Maurice Isserman; Jeremy Katz; Barry Rivet
The 1793 House (60CHR) was saved from demolition in 2014. Research on the structure indicates that it is likely the second oldest structure on campus (only second to the Kirkland Cottage) and it is the oldest that remains on its original foundation. The house is tied to significant historical events such as the home to the first Hamilton-Oneida Principal, and Alex Haley, author of Roots: The Saga of an American Family, likely began work on this novel while a visiting scholar at Hamilton and living in the 1793 House.
The committee applauds the proposers for:
- Cross-departmental collaboration
- Recognizing the historical nature of the building and using the renovation as an opportunity to fill a need for long-term academic guest housing
The points that the committee recommends the proposers need to continue to develop include:
- Submit the idea through the capital renovation process
- Background research on College spending for longer-term visiting scholar housing as a possible cost offset
Contact
Office of the President
